Riding through Iowa.

After a long break from riding, I’m eager to get back on the motorcycle today. I have coffee with Julie and Vivian before packing up the bike and saying goodbye. It was a really great stay in Chicago and I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Claus and Julie and meeting the adorable Vivian.

I head west through upper Illinois on Interstate 88. Eventually I hit the Mississippi River and it takes me by surprise yet again that crossing the river feels like a major milestone in the journey. I’m west of the Mississippi and in the great state of Iowa. The welcome sign reads “Fields of Opportunities”

[crossing the Mississippi river on the Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge]

There certainly are a lot of fields. Along the 240 miles I ride in Iowa, all I see are fields and farms. I manage to get off the highway for a while and onto some two-lane farm roads. They are perfectly straight and there is nobody around for miles. Let’s just say I picked up the pace along a few of these stretches.

[somewhere in Iowa]

[riding local farm roads]

As the sun is setting I find a campsite in Clear Lake, IA. As I pull in, my trip odometer rolls 7000 miles. The lake is beautiful and the sunset is spectacular. The 420 miles I spent on the bike felt awesome. It’s really great being back on the bike and I look forward to more riding tomorrow.

[view from my campsite in Clear Lake, IA]